Sen. Koenen Receives CGMC Legislator of Distinction Award

Sen. Lyle Koenen was recognized by the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities (CGMC) July 25 during the Coalition’s three-day summer conference in Bemidji for his positive impact on economic development policy.

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Montevideo American-News

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Posted Jul. 30, 2013 at 2:51 PM

Posted Jul. 30, 2013 at 2:51 PM

Sen. Lyle Koenen was recognized by the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities (CGMC) July 25 during the Coalition’s three-day summer conference in Bemidji for his positive impact on economic development policy.

Sen. Koenen, a Democrat from Clara City, has served in the Minnesota Senate since winning a 2012 special election. He had previously served in the Minnesota House since 2002. The Legislator of Distinction Award is given to legislators who played key roles in advancing CGMC’s policy during the preceding session.

Sen. Koenen served as the chief Senate author of CGMC’s legislation to make the Angel Investment Tax Credit program more usable in Greater Minnesota. After the bill was introduced, Koenen worked with the CGMC on amendments to fix the wage mandate, the type of businesses that can use the program, and the amount of money actually available to Greater Minnesota.

“As a member of the Senate Tax Committee, Sen. Koenen provided strong advocacy to help draw more of the Angel Investor program’s private investment dollars into Greater Minnesota businesses,” said Bruce Ahlgren, President of the CGMC and Mayor of Cloquet. “Though not ultimately passed into law this year, Sen. Koenen’s thoughtful improvements to this program will be the foundation for discussion in 2014.”